1. Learning Objective: To understand who Guru Gobind Singh was and why he formed the Khalsa Starter: How much responsibility did you have when you were 9 years old? What were you allowed to do / not allowed to do? Where could you go / not go? What did you do for fun?

2. All: (Level 3/4) Will be able to understand who Guru Gobind Singh was and why he is important to Sikhs Most: (Level 4/5) Will be able to explain how Guru Gobind Singh’s teachings affect the behaviour of modern Sikhs and how being part of the Khalsa affects Sikhs lives Some: (Level 5/6) Will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of the Khalsa at making all Khalsa Sikhs equal

3. What do these people all have in common? John.F.Kennedy President of the USA Martin Luther King Civil Rights Campaigner Charles I King of England Ghandi Indian Independence Leader Abraham Lincoln President of the USA Assassinated because of his belief in the freedoms of African Americans Assassinated because of his belief in peaceful means of gaining independence Assassinated because of his belief in the freedoms of Black Americans Assassinated because of his policies on dealing with foreign issues Beheaded because of his belief in the divine right of kings to rule

4. Would you be willing to die for something you believe in? Is there anything you would be willing to die for?

5. The Death of Guru Tegh Bahadur (The Ninth Guru) The ruler of India wanted the people of India to convert to Islam. To do this, he decided to instruct all of the Hindu preachers in India to covert to Islam or face death. The Sikh guru decided to visit this leader to try and change his mind. He knew he might not come back so before going, he nominated his son (only 9 years old) to become the 10 th guru. Guru Tegh Bahadur was killed by the ruler of India for challenging his authority.

6. Guru Gobind Singh was the 10 th and final human Guru. He became Guru at the age of 9 after his father Guru Teg Bahadur was beheaded. His Sikh followers were still being persecuted by the ruler of India. In 1699 he chose the festival day of Vaisakhi as the occasion to transform the Sikhs into the Khalsa, a family of united Sikhs.

7. How can having the same surname make people equal? Does it make people equal?

8. Level 3/4 What groups do you belong to? Does your group have rules for you to follow in order to be a member? How easy would it be for you to be a Khalsa Sikh? Some of the rules for being a Khalsa Sikh are below. Watch the video about Sumeet Anand and her experience of being a Khalsa Sikh.

9. Guru Gobind Singh declared the Sikh holy book as his successor instead of a human being. The Guru Granth Sahib would be the Sikhs' guide forever. Why do you think he did this?